Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - Jeff Skinner netted the game-winning goal in overtime, and Devon Levi was strong in his NHL debut in goal, as the Buffalo Sabres earn a 3-2 win over the New York Rangers on Friday night at KeyBank Center.
The Sabres made a strong offensive push to start the game and finally broke through Rangers goalie Jaroslav Halak, as Dylan Cozens found JJ Peterka at the side of the net to make it 1-0 at the 11:20 mark of the first period.
Mika Zibanejad headed off for tripping late in the period, but the Sabres failed to extend their lead, as the score would stay 1-0 through 20 minutes of play.
Levi would only need to make two saves in his opening period in the NHL.
The Sabres got a very early chance on the power in the second with Artemi Panarin off for high-sticking, but, once again, failed to convert with the man advantage.
Midway through the period, Casey Mittelstadt fed Jordan Greenway with a feed up ice, which resulted in on a 1-on-1 physical battle towards the Rangers net. Greenway ended up powering his way in order to score a beautiful one-handed goal.
The Rangers finally broke through midway through the second period, as winger Kaapo Kakko batted the puck out of the air past Levi, cutting the Sabres' lead to 2-1.
Midway through the third period the Rangers pulled even at 2-2, as defenseman Adam Fox poked the puck through Levi's pads after a long scramble in front of the net.
Despite being outshot 20-9 in the third period, Levi battled hard and kept out any further shot from giving the Rangers a lead.
Skinner ended the contest just 1:50 into overtime, as he made a strong move to the net through two defenders to give the Sabres the 3-2 win.
Listen to WGR now!
----------
GAME RECAP
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 11:20 - JJ Peterka (11) (Dylan Cozens, Jack Quinn)
NYR: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: 7:39 - Jordan Greenway (4) (Casey Mittelstadt, Rasmus Dahlin)
NYR: 12:17 - Kaapo Kakko (15) (Filip Chytil, Alexis Lafreniere)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
NYR: 9:45 - Adam Fox (12) (Barclay Goodrow, Tyler Motte)
Overtime:
BUF: 1:49 - Jeff Skinner (32) (Casey Mittelstadt, Owen Power)
NYR: NONE
----------
Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
NYR: 15:07 - Mika Zibanejad (Tripping - 2 min.)
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
NYR: 0:23 - Artemi Panarin (High-sticking - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: 10:09 - Ilya Lyubushkin (Hooking - 2 min.)
NYR: NONE
Overtime:
BUF: NONE
NYR: NONE
----------
----------
Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Devon Levi - BUF
2.) Jeff Skinner - BUF
3.) JJ Peterka - BUF
----------
What's next:
The Sabres are right back at it Saturday night in Philadelphia to take on the Flyers for a 7 p.m. ET faceoff at Wells Fargo Center. Catch all of the action on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550 - starting with pregame coverage at 6 p.m. ET with Brian Koziol.